A grassroots community organization is continuing to work at its commitment to action and reflection regarding climate change.
The Pembina Climate Action Network (PCAN) aims to do this through education regarding climate change and how to mitigate and adapt to its effects, networking with community groups/organizations and government bodies and encouraging an active reciprocal relationship with the earth.
“We have done a lot of educating ourselves … things have been happening,” chairperson Sandy Plett said during a gathering last Tuesday at the 500 Stephen community centre.
“Our existence has had an impact on the community,” she suggested, noting that PCAN has already had some impact in the community even in terms of working with and lobbying the City of Morden.
“One significant way is that when the city applied for funding from the province for funds for a climate adaptation plan, having this group in the community made a big difference.
“So just to be existing, we have already changed the landscape in our community, so that is an encouraging thing, especially when the work feels big and daunting.”
In recent years, PCAN has also been involved with Arbor Day events in Morden, and it has also connected with Morden Collegiate students on outdoor education.
“Last year, we had the sustainability fair in April, and it was a big success and had about 150 people,” added Plett, who noted they plan to do that event again.
PCAN also has a forest focussed sub-group which has, for example, been lobbying to preserve a section of bush and forest up west of Ecole Discovery Trails school in an area poised for more development.
“And that conversation continues,” she said. “So lots of conversations are happening spinning out of this fertile space where we talk and meet together.”
Plett also referenced having met with the Altona Community Action Network this past summer.
“We got a really good sense of what they do and how they do it, and we were looking for wisdom and support, and we got it, and they were excited to hear about our group,” she said. “And they said we should connect again and we should what other local groups there are that could learn from each other and share stories.”
Looking ahead, Plett noted they were looking at making a minor shift in their structure to help propel the organization forward, and it includes establishing a hub or a main board to oversee everything better but even with somewhat more hands-on roles as a working group.
“That group will keep the agenda moving forward.”
To find out more about PCAN, you can go online to pembinacan.org and also find them on social media.
